Bayer CropScience introduces Food Chain Partnership in the USA

Greenfield Alliance with the Western Growers Association serves as example
Monheim, May 2008 – The United Fresh 2008 will bring together representatives of the fresh fruit and vegetable industry in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA). Bayer CropScience will introduce íts global food chain partnership concept in the USA and will showcase its contribution to healthy nutrition at United Fresh from May 4 to 7 in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Booth Number 4859. The company offers its partners in the food production and marketing sectors an extensive range of innovative solutions.

“Based on our food chain partnership philosophy, we are initiating and supporting activities to facilitate partnerships for the benefit of all players in the food chain - from field to fork”, said Gregg Storey, food chain relations manager at Bayer CropScience LP. “In the United States, Bayer CropScience and the Western Growers Association support producers in their efforts to supply consumers with high-quality fruits and vegetables through the Green Field Alliance.”

Green Field Alliance – a unique partnership

“The goal of this unique partnership is to enhance the value programs and services that are vital to the growth and success of Western Grower’s members”, said Brent Crossland, Marketing Manager at Bayer CropScience.

A percentage of every Bayer CropScience product sale purchased by Western Grower members will go directly to the Green Field Alliance Funds. This funding facilitates the dissemination of scientific and technical information to members, staff, policy makers and the public. The funds are also used to tackle four priority issues for Western Growers: food safety, federal farm policy, immigration and transportation.

“It is safe to say that the Green Field Alliance partnership has helped to effectively advance the health and vitality of the American produce industry and that Bayer CropScience, through its financial commitments, is a solid and unparalleled partner in these efforts”, said Hank Giclas, Vice President, Strategic Planning, Science & Technology Western Growers.

Integrated crop protection for high quality fruit and vegetable production

Bayer CropScience has initiated food chain partnerships in various crops in many countries worldwide. “A wide range of affordable, high quality fruits and vegetables available all year round provides the basis for healthy nutrition”, explained Storey. “We look forward to launching further food chain partnership projects in additional crops and countries.”

Bayer CropScience supports integrated crop production according to good agricultural practice as an important element of sustainable agriculture. The solutions offered by Bayer CropScience in food chain partnership projects include activities such as the development and implementation of integrated crop protection tailored to meet local requirements and support for growers in the production of high quality fruits and vegetables. Company experts provide importers and exporters with information on international trading standards relating to crop protection and help to avoid trade barriers.

In addition to the introduction of the food chain partnership concept in the USA by Bayer CropScience the vegetable seed business of Bayer CropScience, Nunhems, will highlight the innovative IntenseTM tomato and the MagentaTM melons at Booth Number 5301.
Forward-Looking Statements
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